Pressure mounts for retraction of GM crop-cancer study

NO VALID evidence. That's the verdict on a recent study that said rats eating genetically modified maize or the weedkiller glyphosate were more likely to develop cancer.

The study, led by Gilles-Eric Séralini of the University of Caen in France, attracted criticism when it was published in September. Last week it was dismissed as having "serious defects" in a European Food Safety Authority report, and by the food safety panels of six European countries. They say far too few rats were used to justify linking Monsanto's NK603 maize - bred to resist glyphosate - or glyphosate itself with cancers. The report calls on the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology to retract the study.

Non-profit group the Committee for Research and Independent Information on Genetic Engineering, says Séralini is the victim of a "covert war" organised by GM supporters.

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